Paul George Defends Jared McCain over Criticism of TikTok Videos, Hypes 76ers Rookie
Jul 1, 2024
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 14: Paul George looks on during the game between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks during Game Four of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 14, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jim Cowsert/NBAE via Getty Images)
Paul George has been a member of the Philadelphia 76ers for less than 24 hours, but he's already singing the praises of one of his new teammates.
During the latest episode of Podcast P with Paul George, the 34-year-old had nice things to say about Sixers rookie Jared McCain, who was selected with the 16th pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
"His personality stands out more than anything," George said around the 15:55 mark. "He's got a personality like, 'I'm me, I'm gonna do me.' The fact that he don't give a f--k that he paints his nails and what people say about that, and he could still be himself and go hoop... you can call him anything at that point."
McCain has built a social media following by doing viral dance videos on TikTok, but there have been some detractors who believe his social media activity shows that he's not a serious basketball player.
Jared McCain posted on TikTok throughout high school and college and now he’s been drafted to the 76ers and people are doing his dance all over TikTok and it’s really wholesome pic.twitter.com/6WRVfkfl1e
In his lone season at Duke, McCain averaged 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. George believes he has the pedigree to succeed despite the criticism he will face as he embarks on his professional career.
"He's got a toughness about him, too, so I don't think he gives a s--t," George said.
Photo: Paul George Wore Allen Iverson Shirt to 76ers Meeting in 2024 NBA Free Agency
Jul 1, 2024
DALLAS, TX - MAY 3: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers arrives to the arena before the game during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
Paul George didn't leave much to the imagination during his meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The new Sixers swingman wore an Allen Iverson shirt to his meeting with team brass Sunday night.
Here’s the shirt Paul George wore to his free agent meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers
George agreed to a four-year, $212 million contract with the Sixers on Sunday, teaming up with All-Stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
While the Sixers' promise of championship contention was enticing, George's decision came down to money. The Clippers refused for months to include a fourth season on any George contract, which shockingly allowed him to hit unrestricted free agency. When Kawhi Leonard inked a three-year, $149.7 million extension in January, it was seen as a foregone conclusion that George would soon follow suit.
Instead, George pushed for the fourth year in talks and the two sides never appeared to get close to a deal. George informed the Clippers he would be signing elsewhere before even taking the Sixers meeting.
"Paul is a tremendous talent and an elite two-way player. We feel fortunate for the five years we spent with him," the Clippers said in a statement. "Over that span, he went to three All-Star Games, made the most 3-pointers in franchise history and helped lead the team to a place it had never been. His performances in Games 5 and 6 against Utah in 2021 won't be forgotten by anyone associated with the Clippers.
"We traded a lot to pair Paul and Kawhi [Leonard], and in exchange, we had five seasons of contention. Even though we fell short of our ultimate objective, we appreciate the chances we had with Paul."
George's choice in apparel made it obvious he planned to sign with the Sixers all along. Iverson is arguably the most iconic player in Sixers franchise history, someone who was both a superstar on the court and tapped into the city's ethos off of it.
While George won't be able to replicate Iverson's iconic stature at this late stage in his NBA career, he could pull off something Iverson never did and bring a ring to Philly.
76ers Rumors: Tyrese Maxey Agrees to 5-Year, $204M Max Contract amid Paul George Buzz
Jul 1, 2024
DENVER, CO - MARCH 27: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 27, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers reportedly locked up a key part of their future Monday by signing All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey to a new contract.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Maxey and the Sixers came to terms on a five-year, $204 million maximum contract extension.
That move came on the heels of the Sixers and nine-time All-Star Paul George agreeing to a four-year, $212 million deal in free agency Monday morning, per Wojnarowski.
The 76ers already showed faith in Maxey when they exercised options for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons on his contract, but he was eligible for a rookie extension after the 2022-23 campaign even with those moves.
Yet there was no immediacy with that extension with both ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and PhillyVoice's Kyle Neubeck reporting the 76ers didn't offer it during the summer of 2023 as a way of maintaining their financial flexibility with uncertainty about James Harden and where the organization was headed before the following offseason.
The extension didn't come during the summer of 2023, but it has now after Philadelphia traded Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers in the early portion of the 2023-24 campaign.
It also isn't much of a surprise considering the 23-year-old proved worthy of a new deal with steady improvement during his first four seasons.
While Maxey was a secondary contributor as a rookie after Philadelphia selected him with a first-round pick in 2020, he took a notable leap into his second season and averaged 17.5 points, 4.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 42.7 percent from deep.
His presence helped make up for the loss of Ben Simmons, who was once seen as a franchise cornerstone.
Maxey's development was one reason expectations were high for the 76ers entering the 2022-23 season. After all, Joel Embiid was an MVP-level big man, Harden was a future Hall of Famer directing the offense, and Tobias Harris was a well-known third option.
If the Kentucky product could make another leap like he did from his first to second year, the team would have been even better positioned in the Eastern Conference.
And he did just that.
Maxey played various roles for the 76ers as a starter in some games and a spark off the bench in others. His scoring ability quickly turned a number of games around, and his three-point shooting made him an ideal fit to take advantage of the consistent double teams Embiid faced on the blocks and Harden drew when he penetrated and distributed.
There remained some concerns about Maxey's defense, but he was even more valuable for the title contender in 2022-23 and averaged 20.3 points, 3.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 43.4 percent from deep.
Unfortunately for the 76ers, even his steady play didn't help them make it past the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.
Still, the Harden trade gave Maxey even more responsibility the next season, and he responded by winning the league's Most Improved Player as a first-time All-Star in 2023-24.
It was a career-best season that saw him post 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from deep, but the 76ers still lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Maxey is a young playmaker who has proved himself a critical piece of the team's present and future. The reward was a new contract, and he can now focus on helping the franchise make it past the second round for the first time since the 2000-01 campaign.
Paul George's Rumored 76ers Contract Has NBA Fans Hyping Joel Embiid's Recruiting
Jul 1, 2024
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers attempts to steal the ball from Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game on December 23, 2022 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers made a massive splash in free agency Monday morning by reportedly signing nine-time All-Star forward Paul George.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, George and the Sixers agreed to a four-year, $212 million maximum contract, thus ending his five-year tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers.
In Philly, George will join a pair of in star players in 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid and 2023-24 NBA All-Star Tyrese Maxey, making the Sixers one of the biggest threats in the Eastern Conference.
While several factors likely played into PG-13's decision to ink a deal with the 76ers, several fans on social credited Embiid's recruiting skills for landing the 34-year-old veteran:
Many of the X posts alluded to Embiid and George both appearing on ESPN NBA Countdown earlier this month during the NBA Finals.
During that show (h/t Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia), Embiid said, "Hopefully, this offseason we find a way to get better and add some pieces," while smiling and seemingly looking in George's direction.
Perhaps Embiid laid the groundwork that night to bring George to Philly and complete a new Big Three along with Maxey.
The Sixers have seemingly been seeking out a third star ever since they traded James Harden to the Clippers last year, and now they undoubtedly have it in George.
George, 34, has been one of the most complete players in the NBA throughout his career, earning nine All-Star nods, six All-NBA selections and four NBA All-Defensive Team selections.
Last season, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.3 three-pointers made and 1.5 steals per game, and he also shot a career-best 47.1 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from deep.
Most importantly, he played in 74 games, which were his most since 2018-19. Durability was a huge concern in George's first four seasons in L.A., as he didn't appear in more than 56 games in any of them.
Embiid has also had significant injury issues in recent years, including missing 43 games last season, which played a big role in the 76ers having to go through the postseason play-in tournament and ultimately losing to the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs.
Health will perhaps be the biggest key to the Sixers' success next season, as healthy core of Embiid, Maxey and George should put Philly among the Eastern Conference's elite teams.
Of course, there is risk involved with signing a 34-year-old player with injury concerns to a four-year max deal, but the Sixers are in win-now mode for as long as they have Embiid, and George should at least put them in the mix.
76ers' Depth Chart, Salary Cap After Paul George, Tyrese Maxey's Rumored Contracts
Jul 1, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 5: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers shoots a free throw during the game on April 5, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers are loading up to compete with the big boys in the Eastern Conference next season, as they reportedly landed nine-time All-Star forward Paul George in free agency Monday morning.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, George agreed to a four-year, $212 million maximum contract with the Sixers after the Los Angeles Clippers announced he would not be re-signing with the organization.
With PG-13 now in the fold, the 76ers' projected depth chart for next season as things currently stand is as follows:
C: Joel Embiid / Andre Drummond
PF: Paul George / Paul Reed
SF: Kelly Oubre Jr. / Ricky Council IV
SG: Eric Gordon
PG: Tyrese Maxey / Jared McCain
Despite the reported signings of George, Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond, the reported re-signing of Kelly Oubre Jr. and the reported signing of Maxey to a five-year, $204 million max contract in restricted free agency, the Sixers still have several open roster spots.
Tobias Harris, Buddy Hield, De'Anthony Melton, Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington and Kyle Lowry are all key players from last season who have hit unrestricted free agency this offseason.
Per Spotrac, the Sixers are currently projected $13.1 million under the first apron and $23.9 million under the second apron.
Philadelphia could still re-sign some of its free agents, but team president Daryl Morey also figures to look elsewhere in free agency as well. The Sixers still project to have more than $9 million in cap space, and they could try to lure ring-chasing veterans with minimum contracts.
Paul George’s year-by-year cap hits on his four year, $211.6 million maximum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers project with $10 million in remaining cap space, but they could get creative with sign-and-trades to take back more than that. pic.twitter.com/y3HI58amCG
As things currently stand, the 76ers seem to have the core needed to be big-time players in the Eastern Conference next season, although the competition will be stiff.
The reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics are returning essentially all of their key players, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard will both be back for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Also, the New York Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, adding him to a core of Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart.
Even the Indiana Pacers figure to be tough, as they reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season and will return Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner.
While there are no guarantees given how stacked the top of the Eastern Conference is, the Sixers feel like a safe bet for a top-four seed if their Big Three of Embiid, Maxey and George can stay healthy.
Health was a major issue for the 76ers last season, as Embiid missed 43 games due to injury, forcing Philly to go through the play-in tournament to even reach the playoffs.
George played in 74 games last season, but that was his most since 2018-19. He didn't appear in more than 56 games in a season in any of his first four campaigns in L.A.
The 76ers can ill afford for any of their Big Three to miss significant time next season, especially since their depth is somewhat suspect at the moment.
Oubre, Gordon and Drummond are solid supporting cast members surrounding the core. If the 76ers can keep them in that role, they will be a dangerous team next season.
NBA Rumors: Paul George, 76ers Agree to 4-Year, $212M Contract After Clippers Exit
Jul 1, 2024
DALLAS, TX - APRIL 28: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers handles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2024NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
Paul George's tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers has come to an end after the nine-time All-Star reportedly agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia 76ersin free agency.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, George and the Sixers came to terms on a four-year, $212 million maximum contract in the early-morning hours of Monday. Wojnarowski also reported the deal "includes a player option on the final season in 2027-28."
Paul George’s year-by-year cap hits on his four year, $211.6 million maximum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers project with $10 million in remaining cap space, but they could get creative with sign-and-trades to take back more than that. pic.twitter.com/y3HI58amCG
It was clear early on in free agency that George would be changing teams, as the Clippers issued a statement on Sunday saying that the star would be leaving:
Clippers’ statement on Paul George parting ways following a significant gap in contract talks, exploring an opt-in and trade scenario and excitement about new opportunities and greater flexibility under new CBA to field a “highly competitive team” moving forward: pic.twitter.com/Uajbail3Hk
George's future became one of the biggest storylines of the offseason when he opted out of his $48.8 million deal for 2024-25 with the Clippers to explore the free-agent market.
Wojnarowski reported George planned to meet with the Clippers, 76ers and Orlando Magic early in the free-agent process.
This deal comes as a huge surprise, if only because it's the first real indication that Clippers governor Steve Ballmer will change his operating procedure as the new tax apron rules go into effect across the NBA.
Under the previous system, Ballmer seemed to have no qualms about spending as much money as possible to build a title contender. The Clippers spent $342.5 million last season between payroll and luxury-tax payments for a team that lost in the first round of the playoffs.
The Clippers were able to re-sign Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $149.5 million extension through the 2026-27 season in January. The deal came in under his max slot, which seemed to indicate he was leaving space for the team to keep both George and James Harden.
Leonard's deal may have turned out to be a problem in the Clippers' negotiations with George. They reportedly wanted him to accept a deal similar in years and dollars to what Leonard signed, but there were multiple teams prepared to offer him a full four-year max.
George spent the past five seasons in Los Angeles after being acquired in a July 2019 trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was pitched on joining the Clippers by Leonard, who signed with the team as a free agent around the same time.
The additions of George and Leonard were supposed to lift the Clippers to new heights. Their first season together ended in the second round of the playoffs after they blew a 3-1 series lead to the Denver Nuggets.
Leonard suffered a torn ACL in the second round of the 2021 playoffs, but the Clippers were able to advance to the Western Conference Finals. They lost in six games to the Phoenix Suns, though George played well with 28.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
The knee injury kept Leonard out for the entire 2021-22 season, and George was limited to only 31 games due to an elbow injury. The Clippers still managed to finish eighth in the Western Conference, but they missed the playoffs with losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in tournament.
A healthy George and Leonard for most of the 2022-23 season helped the Clippers secure the No. 5 seed in the playoffs, but their hopes were dashed almost immediately in the postseason.
George suffered a sprained right knee in a March 21 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder that kept him out for the rest of the season. Leonard tore the meniscus in his right knee in Game 2 against the Phoenix Suns and missed the rest of the series.
The Suns eliminated the Clippers in five games. Leonard missed the final four games in the first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks this season due to a knee injury.
They will always be one of the biggest "what if" scenarios in NBA history because it seemed impossible to keep both of them healthy for any significant period of time.
After spending months being rumored as the top potential landing spot for George if he were to leave Los Angeles, 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey hit the home run he needed this offseason.
The Sixers were already one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, with a top-tier duo in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey when both of them are healthy. It was apparent they needed one more star player to become a championship contender.
Morey has built a career on acquiring superstars. He set himself up to land a big one after trading James Harden to the Houston Rockets last year.
That deal set the Sixers up to have at least $55.7 million in cap space this summer. Morey was always poised to make a big move to maximize the window with Embiid still in his prime and Maxey emerging as an All-Star in his fourth season.
George's arrival, combined with a healthy Embiid and Maxey, gives the Sixers a trio that should be able to compete with the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference hierarchy.
NBA Rumors: Andre Drummond to Sign 76ers Contract Worth over $10M After Bulls Stint
Jun 30, 2024
Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond, left, dunks as Detroit Pistons center James Wiseman looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Sunday, April 9, 2023. The Bulls won 103-81. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Free agent center Andre Drummond has agreed to a two-year, $10 million plus deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.
The 30-year-old Drummond posted 8.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in 2023-24, his 12th NBA campaign. His resume includes a pair of All-Star Game appearances and four rebounding titles.
Over eight seasons with the Detroit Pistons, where Drummond began his career, he averaged 14.4 points and 13.9 boards. He then bounced around the NBA from 2020-2022 with stops at the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, 76ers and Brooklyn Nets.
In 2022, the big man signed a two-year, $6.6 million contract with the Chicago Bulls, who added him to provide depth behind starter Nikola Vučević. Drummond averaged 6.0 points on 60.6 percent shooting and 6.6 rebounds in 12.7 minutes per contest in 67 games off the bench in 2022-23.
He fared even better in 2023-24, and now Drummond is about to embark on his second stint in Philadelphia, which has added more quality frontcourt depth and adept rebounding behind star big man Joel Embiid off the bench.
Drummond and fellow reserve Paul Reed now help give Philadelphia perhaps the NBA's deepest and best center group.
NBA Rumors: 76ers FA Tobias Harris Drawing Interest from Mavs, Spurs, Jazz, Pistons
Jun 30, 2024
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 30: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the first half at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2024 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers free agent Tobias Harris is reportedly drawing interest from the Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks, per the Philadelphia Inquirer'sKeith Pompey.
Harris is coming off a five-year, $180 million deal with the 76ers and has spent the last six seasons with the team.
Last year, he put up 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from deep.
Though many fans argue Harris was a bit overpaid with his nine-figure contract, he's been a reliable player on offense, hovering between 15 and 20 points per game for the past decade. He's also just 31 years old, meaning he can give a team several more good years.
It's not clear where the 76ers stand on Harris, but ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported in May that he is expected "to be elsewhere" next season.
Philly might not even be an option for Harris this offseason, as the 76ers eye a much bigger target in Paul George. Philadelphia is reportedly the "frontrunner" to land George in free agency this offseason, and that could alleviate the 76ers need to re-sign Harris.
Of the teams reportedly interested in him, the Mavericks seem like the most appealing option for Harris as he searches for his first NBA title. After its shooting woes in the NBA Finals, Dallas is seeking a player who can help space the floor to relieve Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving some on offense. Harris could be exactly that.
Klay Thompson Rumors: Warriors Icon to Meet with Lakers, Clippers, 76ers, Mavs in FA
Jun 30, 2024
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 16: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors looks on prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Longtime Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson is officially a free agent for the first time in his career, and he reportedly has a long list of teams that he intends to meet with this offseason.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Thompson "plans to have discussions with" the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks "in the opening hours of free agency."
ESPN's Bobby Marks explained how each team could acquire Thompson:
Mavericks have a $16.1M trade exception created from the Tim Hardaway Jr. trade.
Lakers and Clippers would be $12.8M non-tax ML unless a sign/trade.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported on Sunday that there is a belief that Thompson would be open to accepting the $12.9 million mid-level exception from either Los Angeles team. It would be a surprising turn of events for the 34-year-old, as he turned down a two-year, $48 million offer from the Warriors prior to the 2023-24 season, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Thompson was once one of the best two-way guards in the league, but injuries and age caused a dip in his production this past season. He averaged 17.9 points while shooting 38.7 percent from beyond the arc, his first time averaging less than 20 points since his third year in the NBA in 2013-14. His role was reduced throughout the season as the Warriors committed to giving minutes to younger players like Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga.
Thompson leaving Golden State would mark the end of an era, but it seems like he believes he will have a better opportunity to contribute elsewhere. The Lakers, Clippers, Sixers and Mavs are all hoping to contend for an NBA title next season, so the four-time champion would be a strong addition for any of them.
NBA Rumors: 76ers Want Paul George, Caldwell-Pope Contracts Despite Salary Cap Issues
Jun 30, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers drives against Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half a game at Crypto.com Arena on December 06, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers "have explored the feasibility of" acquiring both Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George and Denver Nuggets defensive stalwart Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency, NBA insider Marc Stein reported Sunday.
League sources tell The Stein Line that the ever-ambitious 76ers have explored the feasibility of/cap gymnastics required to try to land both Paul George and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency.
Keith Pompey previously reported for the Philadelphia Inquirer that the Sixers are considered the "frontrunner" to land George.
"If he comes to Philly, sources believe George will help recruit solid role players for the Sixers' pursuit of an NBA championship-caliber roster," Pompey wrote.
The 76ers are more than $103 million over the cap, per Spotrac. Only the LA Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves have less cap space heading into free agency.
But Philadelphia can clear more than $65 million by moving on from their pending free agents (h/t CBS Philadelphia's Tom Ignudo) and Spotrac puts the Sixers' practical cap space at over $58 million, the highest total in the NBA.
That could give them the flexibility to make bids for George and Caldwell-Pope, who are each set to hit free agency after turning down player options to return to their perspective teams.
George declined a $48.7 million option to stay with the Clippers, while Caldwell-Pope turned down his $15.4 million option to remain with the Nuggets.
Negotiations between the Clippers and George broke down after the team would not offer him a deal longer than three years, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. He will now hit the market in search of a four-year deal.
The 76ers are willing to offer George that four-year contract, Jake Fischer reported Sunday for Yahoo Sports.
Stein previously reported Caldwell-Pope that sources say there is "mutual interest" between Caldwell-Pope and the Mavericks, but that "the Nuggets do not want to participate in a sign-and-trade with an in-conference rival... even if that means losing Caldwell-Pope without compensation."
The Boston Celtics' run to the title this season means that three-and-D wings are more in demand than ever, and Fox Sports' Yaron Weitzman predicted the Sixers would be willing to pay a deal worth around three years and $70 million to add Caldwell-Pope to the roster.
The Sixers have not made it past the second round since Embiid's debut in 2016. Philadelphia will now hope a pair of big free agency additions will allow this team to make it over the hump.
